'The more we work together, the more we want to explore music together,' says Ticciati. 'When I put our relationship in the context of our search for fresh ways for inspiring out existing audiences, it feels as if we have only just begun.'

Speaking to BBC Music Magazine in 2011, Ticciati said: 'The SCO's understanding of classicism is so profound, and I think that's why I felt so excited about this life decision, taking on the SCO.'

The SCO this year celebrates its 40th anniversary and SCO chief executive Roy McEwan said: 'The best birthday gift we could have received is our principal conductor Ticciati committing to the Orchestra for a further three years.'

Ticciati has been recognised for his trademark of opening each SCO season with a major opera in concert and his exploration of the music of Romantic composers.

The relationship between Ticciati and the orchestra has also been described as ‘one of the great partnerships in British music’ by the Daily Telegraph.

The 2013/14 40th anniversary season will launch with Berlioz’s opera Beatrice and Benedict and also include the premieres of three specially commissioned works by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Sally Beamish and Martin Suckling.

Other highlights of the season include a two-week performance of the complete Schumann symphonies – which will be recorded on Linn records – and appearances by pianist Paul Lewis, cellist Steven Isserlis and violinist Tasmin Little.

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